Excellence in Real Estate 2021 by Vancouver Is Awesome

EXCELLENCE in

REAL ESTATE

2021 EDITION

Above all, these featured realtors are all about delivering exceptional client experiences through boutique level service. ELIZABETH ROSALYNE THE

eople-oriented and adaptable by trade, realtors are equipped to navigate rapid change in the real estate industry with tremendous grit, compassion, and innovation.

For the inaugural Excellence in Real Estate magazine, we spoke with Vancouver’s top real estate leaders to hear about how they and their teams have been making their mark. From Delta to the North Shore, real estate markets in neighbourhoods across Metro Vancouver have seen emerging housing trends reach grand heights in this past year, from the migration from the city to the suburbs, to the desire for more space and customization

in the home. Above all, these featured realtors are all about delivering exceptional client experiences through boutique level service. Helping homeowners at all stages of their real estate journeys is their mission, and with their go-getter attitudes, problem solving skills, and commitment to always putting the client’s interests before their own, these leaders all truly go above and beyond expectations. Those are the signs of real estate excellence. ELIZABETH ROSALYN THE EDITOR

E XCELLENCE in

R E A L E S TAT E 2021 EDITION

MICHELLE YU RE/MAX Real Estate Services

ANDREW HASMAN RE/MAX Real Estate Services

GARBUTT + DUMAS Keller Williams Elite Realty

WESTCOAST LIVING Real Estate Group

MARIO FELICELLA Personal Real Estate Corporation

JASMINE BOTTO Royal LePage Sussex

SONNY BHINDER Real Estate Team

DEVON OWEN Royal Pacific Realty

PUBLISHER

Michelle Bhatti EDITORIAL

Elizabeth The DESIGN + PRODUCTION

Jodeen Hodgson SALES

David Chiew Guy Fournier MARKETING + SALES ASSISTANT

Karen Ngan PHOTOGRAPHY

Mike Wakefield

For inquiries regarding the next edition, contact David Chiew: 604.250.3025

Personal Real Estate Corporation A team of Realtors committed to staying ahead of the evolving real estate industry

s a broker owner of RE/MAX Real Estate Services, award-winning Vancouver Realtor® Michelle Yu is on a mission to produce a team of real estate professionals who serve the community by staying ahead of the evolving industry. Throughout her 27 years of experience in the industry, Yu hasn’t seen a real estate market quite like 2021. In the current seller’s driven market, many new listings are coming up. Paired with low interest rates and multiple bidding offers from interested buyers, the demand and competition for Vancouver properties has never been this high. Yu’s team is focused on three divisions of real estate — the residential market, the commercial land developments market, and the preselling market. With project marketing for two new development projects currently underway, Yu foresees interest in real estate developments to continue to grow. “We’re seeing a high demand for presales for multifamily units in townhomes and condos in the city,” says Yu.

“We have new projects that will be launching in our presentation center, and we’re expecting that there will be more coming up soon,” Yu adds.

One of Yu’s goals is to continue adding to her team of Realtors and coaching them throughout this interesting time of growth and change in the Metro Vancouver real estate market. “There’s so much new Realtors need to understand and learn in addition to the foundational knowledge they obtained with their real estate license,” says Yu. Yu wants to ensure that the new Realtors on her team are confident enough to educate and advise their clients in making the right decisions.

“Customers want to know more details about the property through the Realtor, and sees them as their representative when negotiating a deal,” says Yu. “As a Realtor, they should be well educated

and well equipped on all different aspects of real estate beyond buying and selling residential single homes — such as advising their clients when buying a pre-sale and understanding city zoning bylaws.” Yu recognizes that nothing can replace the person-to-person element of real estate, which is why she is dedicated to supporting her team — full of young, energetic, and ambitious real estate professionals — in becoming the best realtors they can be. For one, Yu takes the time to train new realtors to deliver quality service by providing sound advice, setting clear expectations, and exhibiting values of honesty, trustworthiness, and knowledgeability in client interactions. She believes that up-and-coming young realtors are essential for representing the new reality of realtors who listen to and care about their clients. “I want the new generation of realtors to know that we are real estate consultants,” says Yu. “We advise people to make informed decisions, such as knowing when is the right time and what is the right price to buy or sell.” Also of high importance to Yu is the development of a group of team players who share their experiences with one another and give back to the community. “Realtors these days do not work alone — they work alongside a team,” says Yu. “I value team players who not only have the expertise, skills, and results, but also have a willingness to share and help others in the group so we can continue to provide a complete set of services to our clients.” For her dedication to giving back to the community, Yu is this year’s recipient of the RE/MA X Community Cares Awards from RE/MAX LLC. It’s an award that Yu takes great pride in receiving, and is a recognition she values even more than any commission milestones and placements in Top 1% Realtor lists. For that, she is committed to paying the goodwill forward with her team of Realtor.

R E A L E S TAT E 2021 EDITION

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Michelle Yu

E XCELLENCE

I want to continuously help the new generation of Realtors in caring for and giving back to their communities. MICHELL YU

SUITE 110, 3540 W 41 AVE VANCOUVER. B.C. TEAM: 604.329.8228 OFFICE: 604.263.2823 MICHELLEYU.COM 5

Boutique Real Estate Service

Helping multigenerational families in Metro Vancouver realize their real estate potential

ot many realtors in Vancouver have dedicated themselves to one real estate company and office over the course of their entire career. This is a milestone that RE/MAX realtor Andrew Hasman, the recipient of this year’s RE/MAX Luminary of Distinction career achievement award, is especially proud of reaching in his 28th year in the real estate industry through his Vancouver real estate office. Working alongside Andrew in his twoperson real estate team is his wife, Jill Hasman. As both life partners and business partners, Andrew and Jill form Andrew Hasman & Associates, offering boutique real estate services to guide clients beyond the standard buying , selling and investing in properties by providing support throughout the whole process. The Hasmans aim to be an ongoing resource for anything clients wish to know about the real estate landscape. Hands on in their work, they actively engage with and support them in their real estate planning through their extensive real estate market expertise and connections. “We try to set our clients up for success in the real estate process by helping them make wise decisions,” says Andrew. “We consider what we can do to add value — whether its providing suggestions for investments or bringing in tradespeople for renovation projects, along with setting up their homes for a successful sale.” In providing the full package for real estate listings and showings — including measurements, photos, and floor plans, wall painting and carpet cleaning —the realtors ensure that by the time homes are put to the market, they are showing in a way that potential buyers who come in get an accurate impression of the space. Andrew and Jill have built their business based on the fundamentals of being people-

oriented in their approach to real estate. “As realtors, we’re dealing with people’s lives, their family memories, and their homes,” says Andrew. “We approach residential real estate in a way that captures people at the personal level.” “We enjoy helping people get their homes ready for the market and helping them establish their new home and their new place in their lives,” adds Jill. The Hasmans know that nurturing those relationships is key to creating happy clients and more business opportunities. “We analyze each situation, understand the client’s needs and expectations, and bring tremendous value to the table so that we can generate the best outcome for our clients,” says Andrew. “And that’s why they keep coming back.” Today, 90% of their business comes from past clients and referrals. In their small team of two, Andrew and Jill consider their clients as part of their extended family network, and this is paramount to their success. “Over the years of nurturing our relationships with our clients, we call them our real estate family,” says Andrew. Andrew and Jill are now at the stage in their careers where they have gotten to know, grow with, and work with past clients and their now multigenerational families. The opportunity to support the next generation in their real estate opportunities demonstrates the level of comfort and sense of trust the Hasmans have established in their client relationships over the decades. For both Andrew and Jill, this is what they see as a full circle experience. “We love to be there from start to finish and to help somebody to the point where we hand them the keys to their new home,” says Andrew. “It’s incredibly rewarding for us to see the whole process carry out.”

R E A L E S TAT E 2021 EDITION

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Andrew Hasman & Associates

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We approach residential real estate in a way that captures people at the personal level. ANDREW HASMAN

RE/MAX REAL ESTATE SERVICES

110 - 3540 WEST 41ST AVE DIRECT: 604-657-7936 OFFICE: 604-263-2823 ANDREWHASMAN.COM ANDREW@ANDREWHASMAN.COM

Keller Williams Elite Realty

A forward-thinking real estate team that puts clients’ interests first, always

anked in the Top 1% of Realtors in Greater Vancouver, the Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Team specializes in selling houses, condos, and townhouses throughout New Westminster, Burnaby, the Tri-Cities, and more. Co-founders James Garbutt and Denny Dumas have a shared passion for real estate. Both James and Denny achieved their ambitious home ownership goals early on, investing in their first homes in their early 20s. In fact, it was James — then a young realtor early in his career — who helped Denny purchase his first condo in 2012. Two years later, Denny joined forces with James in the real estate business to form the Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Team. Since then, the business partners have been focused on building their team of Realtors, growing their online presence, and adding value for clients “We perform a high level of service, and we make it fun,” says James of their experienced, engaged, and energetic team dynamic. “Our team is full of hardworking, determined agents that are trying to do good for their clients.” The Garbutt + Dumas team strives to provide their clients with an exceptional buying and selling experience, helping them find the perfect home in the right neighbourhood that best suits their lifestyle, and guiding them in making informed decisions. “Clients trust us with what’s likely their largest investment, and we recognize the impact we have on that next course of their lives,” says James. Their team takes that responsibility seriously and is committed to providing the best possible outcome. “A mantra we go by is ‘clients interest first, always’, which for us means always do what’s right, and put the client’s priorities ahead of our own,” adds James. “We want our clients to have a positive experience and an unquestionable belief that they are in the right hands.” Garbutt + Dumas has selling experience all over Greater Vancouver from Langley to Vancouver, with their main real estate markets concentrated in New Westminster and Burnaby, and future growth trending towards the Tri-Cities. “Lucas McCann and Monica Harmse — two Realtors on our team — live in Port Moody,

and I’m moving out there soon,” said Denny. “Our team is known as New Westminster specialists, but it’s safe to say we’ll be growing our business in the Tri-Cities as well.” Headquartered in New Westminster, the team has extensive experience in all kinds of properties — from heritage houses in Queens Parks to new waterfront townhouses in Queensborough, and everything in between. “The exposure to 100-year old heritage houses, mid-century properties, and new builds in a city that is loaded with homes of all different styles, ages, and price ranges has given us experience with different property types,” says James, who himself is a New Westminster resident, as well as the co-owner of Steel and Oak Brewing Co. — a local favourite for craft beer enthusiasts. With their specialization and presence in suburban neighbourhoods, Garbutt + Dumas is on the pulse of the changes ahead in real estate, as the quest for more space draws more people towards the housing markets in the Tri-Cities, as well as in the Fraser Valley.

R E A L E S TAT E 2021 EDITION

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We want our clients to have a positive experience and an unquestionable belief that they are in the right hands. JAMES GARBUTT

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The Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Team

E XCELLENCE

“2021 is going to be a huge year for couples and families moving to communities where there’s more outdoor amenities and where they can get that extra space in their homes,” predicts Denny. “Townhouses are going to see more activity and likely an increase in prices in the next 12 to 24 months, as the demand is continuing to climb.” Just as customer service is their priority, marketing is Garbutt + Dumas’s strength.

With creative storytelling, consistent content Garbutt + Dumas is harnessing the reach and power of their online and social media presence in their core markets, which is especially timely with the rise in interest for virtual showings and the pre-qualification of properties online. From sharing stories about property listings to launching The Garbutt + Dumas Real Estate Podcast, the team is sharing their collective industry experience and knowledge to maximize their exposure and to provide added value to clients, Realtors, and other real estate enthusiasts. “We want to be the trusted source for what’s happening in real estate,” says James. “There’s a lot of noise in the news and media, and with our podcast, we’re able to let people know what’s going on right from the source.”

630 FIFTH STREET NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. 604.805.3115 GARBUTTDUMAS.CA INFO@GDREALESTATE.CA 9

Real Estate Group

Exceptional Real Estate experience driven by referrals and relationships

ince 2001, Jessica Chen has been building strong real estate connections with clients and partners across Metro Vancouver. Upon a career shift from the world of corporate marketing to real estate, she was advised by her mentor, REALTOR®, to build a business foundation of relationships over sales. This mindset of prioritizing referrals and relationships above all else shaped or moulded how Chen went about establishing the WestCoast Living Real Estate Group as a team of REALTORS® driven by their client’s needs. Chen’s small yet tight-knit team consists of Real Estate Advisors Jason Ng and Michelle Legaspi, and Client Care Coordinator Breanne Bryans and Social Media Marketing Specialist Gurleen Pooni — all of whom are very involved in every single one of their client’s real estate journeys. The WestCoast Living brand aims to provide the white-glove, full service experience. Their concierge approach to real estate fulfills Chen’s ultimate vision of being a one-stop shop for clients. A part of WestCoast Living’s mission is to be a valued resource, providing references and referrals from their team’s network to further gain long-term trust and commitment from their clients. “We want our community to know it’s not just about buying and selling real estate — it’s about answering the question ‘What more can we do for you?’”, says Chen. “We have people reach out to us inquiring about long distance movers for their cross-country relocation, or wanting to know where they can find a doctor once they’re in town.” Building a community has been the natural evolution of happy clients who then entrust the team with their friends, colleagues and family members. With a business built 99% on referrals, WestCoast Living’s referral base is key, and maintaining their established client relationships by always going the extra mile is a priority. Cultivating a supportive and result driven attitude for clients to reach their personal real estate goals has also helped build their success of selling hundreds of homes throughout the years. “When people give a referral to their friends and family, that means they trust you,” says Chen. “and we take this responsibility to serve

our clients as priority.” As a testament to their commitment, the team finds themselves helping their regular clients buy and sell not just once, but multiple times over. When COVID-19 impacted the real estate industry, Chen’s top priority was to ensure that her team members, their clients, and the community around them felt safe. “One of the things we did immediately was contact our property managers and ask if there were any properties available for our clients that had just sold their home and were needing to find a place to stay urgently,” shares Chen. Then, the team at WestCoast Living strategized on how they could continue to conduct and deliver their real estate services during the pandemic. “We took the guesswork out for the buying agent, realtor, and buyer by putting together a three-step process,” says Chen. “First, we summarized everything about the property listing — including Google Maps overviews of amenities close by, specific property features, such as the direction it faces, updates completed in the home, or even how you can renovate the home, should it need updating, and everything else a buyer could review prior to coming in. Second, we would arrange a Zoom call with the client to go through qualifications or qualifiers and a pre-recorded property walkthrough. If they were interested, we would then schedule a private showing of the home.” This proved to be an efficient and effective way to not only ensure a safe and secure real estate process during the pandemic, but also served as a way to vet serious buyers through pre-qualification. “When I would usually have 40 people come in for an open house for a property, now I only had three — and those three ALL wrote offers,” recalls Chen. For Chen and her team, their goals for the future are to continue to deliver exceptional service to their clients by staying committed to providing competitive buying and selling strategies in the ever changing landscape of real estate, along with finding new and innovative ways to empower their clients as they navigate through what’s oftentimes a time-consuming and most stressful endeavour.

R E A L E S TAT E 2021 EDITION

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We want our community to know it’s not just about buying and selling real estate — it’s about answering the question What more can we do for you?

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WestCoast Living

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JESSICA CHEN

OAKWYN REAL ESTATE 3195 OAK STREET VANCOUVER, B.C. 604.771.0007 HELLOWESTCOAST.CA JESSICA@HELLOWESTCOAST.CA 11

Personal Real Estate Corporation Adding value is the key to this values-driven Realtor

ealtor Mario Felicella has been listing, marketing, and selling real estate for over 25 years, specializing in markets in East Vancouver, Downtown Vancouver, and Vancouver’s Westside. A top agent of Sutton Group West Coast Realty’s flagship office on Broadway, he has consistently ranked in the Top 1% of Realtors in Vancouver.

A born and raised Vancouverite, Felicella began his work in the industry in the mid1990s — remembered as one of the tougher real estate periods on record. The challenging market gave him a prime opportunity to demonstrate the dedicated and unwavering work ethic passed down to him from his proud and successful Italian immigrant family , who’ve taught him to “work hard and work smart, be good, and be straight and honest with people, so that good things will come.”

Another key family philosophy that he put into practice in his work is to always offer added value to people’s lives, or in the context of his real estate business, to provide more service than you get paid for doing.

“My approach has always been to add value to people,” says Felicella. “People want to be associated with success and positive supportive energy, and from there, you start building relationships.” Today, that strategy of added value has proven to be a success, as seen through Felicella’s generational clientele and the recurring clients that has afforded him.

“As a Realtor, you grow with your clients,” shares Felicella. “From the grandparents and the parents, to their kids and grandchildren, business partners and associates, you work to be there to guide them through all their real estate endeavours. It’s an honour and a privilege to be invited into someone’s family or inner circle and to be trusted.” Cultivating these quality relationships with his clients is of utmost importance to the Realtor. Beyond getting in the deal and selling the property for a better price or negotiating

the best purchase, it’s about working to enhance the experience with personalization and care. “I’ve always prided myself on giving my clients what I call the Five Star Boutique approach,” says Felicella. “Like concierge service, I strive to negotiate the best deal and to deliver my clients the best expectation. They know if they need something to call me and get what they need straight away.” While technology has transformed the real estate industry, especially with the emphasis on virtual showings during the COVID-19 pandemic, Felicella sees the person-to-person aspect as top of mind. “I still maintain that real estate is a very human interaction,” states Felicella. “At the end of the day, you have to walk through the property to really touch, feel, see, and assess everything where it’s a condo, house or building.” Looking forward to the years ahead, Felicella’s goal as a Realtor is to continually do better than the previous year. “It is important to be aggressive, innovative, and creative in marketing real estate,” says Felicella. In 2008, he sold a project and was giving cars away through a “buy a condo and get a car” promotion. “No one was doing that. We got tons of media,.” says Felicella. “Now during COVID-19, we are doing drone videos when marketing apartments and buildings. It has been a huge success.” “I hope to continue to increase my residential and commercial portfolios while always looking out to expand to other endeavors within the real estate market. I love what I do.” Feeling lucky and blessed to be living and selling in Vancouver, this proud Vancouverite has high hopes for the city’s real estate market. “Vancouver is what I call the city that has it all, ” he says. “It’s vibrant, clean, and beautiful. We are in one of the best places in the world, and that is why people keep coming and the city keeps growing. It’s a great place to live and have a good quality of life.”

R E A L E S TAT E 2021 EDITION

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My approach has always been to add value to people, people want to be associated with success and positive supportive energy, and from there, you start building relationships. MARIO FELICELLA

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Mario Felicella

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301-1508 WEST BROADWAY VANCOUVER, B.C. 604.649.6905 MGFREALESTATE.COM SUTTON GROUP WEST COAST REALTY

Botto Real Estate

Community-minded Realtors on the North Shore

elebrating 31 years in business this year, the Botto Real Estate team is a dynamic force in the North Vancouver real estate market, covering Lynn Valley, Deep Cove, Lower Lonsdale, and other communities on the North Shore. Botto Real Estate was established in 1989 by Grant Botto, and for the last decade, has been led by Jasmine Botto. Before taking the helm, Jasmine was mentored by her husband, from whom she learned best practices of the real estate business and honed her skills in negotiations and customer service. After obtaining her real estate license 21 years ago, she made the permanent switch to a career in the industry. The well-respected Realtor has been recognized at the ‘Red Diamond’ award level, placing her in the Top 2% of Royal LePage’s 18,000 Realtors across Canada. Today, the Botto team consists of Jasmine Botto and her associates, Traci Borer and Tallulah Fielder. Borer spends her time with and for buyers. With a great mind for negotiation and being an advocate for their clients, Traci is tireless in finding a way for each client to win and loves being a part of this big decision in their lives. Botto Real Estate’s strong marketing presence is due in large part to Tallulah Fielder, the team’s ‘one woman marketing department’. Also exceptional with taking care of people, paperwork, and social media, the customer service and administrative specialist is key to the concierge service the team takes pride in offering. Together, the three women are driven by their shared values and the myriad of talents and strengths they each bring, all for the purpose of investing in helping their clients navigate the world of buying or selling a home. For Botto, maintaining a close relationship with all those they work with is essential to building, maintaining, and expanding their clientele. “Making the business about the client is our

strongest point of differentiation,” says Botto on the team’s customer-first mindset. “Putting the customer first is a shared philosophy that feels right and has generated repeat & referral clientele - which is the type of business we are honored to have.”While navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, the Botto team met everyday on Zoom to check in with each other, as well as took the time to reach out to and check in on their clients. In the past year, the team has seen how the definition of home is shifting with the changing times. “Home has a very different meaning now for a lot of people, with the possibility of being able to live anywhere opening up,” says Botto. “A lot of our clientele who have been settled in their homes for many years are considering relocating since they can work from home are retiring early, or moving to have more outdoor space.” Jasmine believes that real estate on the vibrant, friendly, and progressive North Shore is going to continue to be desirable in the years to come. North Vancouver specifically has always been one of the more stable markets in the Lower Mainland,” states Botto. “It’s less volatile because it is considered that nice middle market area of Metro Vancouver, and the North Shore has much to offer with outdoor activities, good schools, and safe communities.” In terms of Botto Real Estate’s goals for 2021, the team is committed to amplifying their digital marketing with educational video content to provide even more value to their clients and introducing new additions to their small but mighty workforce. As well, they look forward to returning to their active role in supporting communities in Lynn Valley, Lower Lonsdale, and throughout North Vancouver. “We love to contribute to and support local projects and causes, particularly those to do with the arts, education and events that bring people together,” shares Botto. “We look forward to seeing more opportunities to help these communities open up again.”

R E A L E S TAT E 2021 EDITION

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Putting the customer first is a shared philosophy that feels right and has generated repeat & referral clientele - which is the type of business we are honored to have. JASMINE BOTTO

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Jasmine Botto - Team Leader

E XCELLENCE

ROYAL LEPAGE SUSSEX 2996 LONSDALE AVENUE NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. 604.984.7253 THEBOTTOTEAM.COM INFO@THEBOTTOTEAM.COM 15

Real Estate Team

A team that delivers second mile service with 100% guaranteed results

fter originally studying law and computer programming and working as an Oracle database administrator for a multi-national auto company in Toronto, Sonny Bhinder realized he wasn’t meant to have a desk job. So, he tried different vocations until he came across one that felt right — real estate. “With real estate, there is a lot I can connect with,” says Bhinder. “I’m out and about meeting people and helping them achieve one of their biggest goals — buying, selling and investing in properties.” Bhinder started his real estate career as a solo agent in 2005 and soon in 2008, Bhinder began to build out his team to handle the many various responsibilities included in real estate transactions to ensure that his clients would continue to receive the best service possible as his business scaled.

He specializes in the Metro Vancouver neighborhoods of Surrey, Delta, Cloverdale, South Surrey, and White Rock, while his team members’ portfolios span from Vancouver to Chilliwack. Today, Bhinder’s team includes 10 real estate agents, 6 administrative and client support staff, and a mortgage department. They rank in the Top 1% Real Estate Team in the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board and are the #2 Team in Century 21 for B.C.

Ranking in the Top 1% Real Estate Team in the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board and are the #2 Team in Century 21 for B.C., the Sonny Bhinder Real Estate team has a proven track record of selling homes 2.5X faster for 1.5% more money, and selling 20X more homes than the average. The team consists of a group of people who believe in going above and beyond in their commitment to provide exceptional client service. As they say, “We are in the busi-

ness of helping people; it just happens to be real estate”. The Sonny Bhinder Real Estate Team is guided by the motto of ‘Go Serve Big’, believing that when you put others first, you will never be second. “Most agents give the first mile service, but we strive to deliver second mile service to our clients,” says Bhinder. “We work hard to get the 3Rs, which include Referrals, Repeat Business, and Reviews from our clients,” explains Bhinder. “That is our currency of success within our real estate business.” For Bhinder and his team, having previous clients call back — whether with a recommendation for a colleague who is looking to buy or a decade later when it comes time to sell their house — is an indicator of a job well done. Bhinder has put in unique selling propositions to safeguard his clients and deliver optimum results. “For sellers, I guarantee that your home will be sold at your price, otherwise I will buy it,” explains Bhinder. He adds, “for buyers, if you do not love your new home purchased within 18 months, I’ll buy it back from you.” For those clients on the fence over whether they should buy first or sell first, Bhinder has another unique incentive with the team’s Trade Up Program. As Bhinder states, “move up to one of my listings, and I will buy yours.” Bhinder and his team are happy to be problem solvers for their clients, and they have big aspirations to continue this into 2021 and beyond, with goals to serve over 200 families and give back $20,000 to various local charity organizations. “Ultimately, we want to fulfill our main purpose, which is to make a difference in the lives of our clients and in the community.”

R E A L E S TAT E 2021 EDITION

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For sellers, I guarantee that your home will be sold at your price or I will buy it, and for buyers, I guarantee that if within 18 months you do not love your new home purchased, I will buy it back from you. SONNY BHINDER

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Sonny Bhinder

E XCELLENCE

216 - 12565 88 AVE, TRITON CENTRE SURREY, B.C. 604.593.5055 SONNYBHINDER.COM SONNY@SONNYBHINDER.COM

Royal Pacific Realty

Giving homeowners the service they deserve

ealtor Devon Owen has earned herself a loyal following in Metro Vancouver’s luxury Real Estate market, with clients who appreciate her 13+ years of experience and thorough understanding of the markets in Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and South Surrey/White Rock. Raised in South Surrey and currently residing on the North Shore, Devon’s interest in real estate developed in 2008 while doing marketing contract work for her personal connections, including her cousin in real estate development and a family friend who owned one of the most expensive penthouses in Vancouver at the time. The experience uncovered a passion that triggered the switch from pre-med to real estate. In 2010 Devon obtained her real estate license from UBC’s Sauder School of Business. As a Realtor with Royal Pacific, Devon has achieved Medallion and Chairman’s Club status with the brokerage for five consecutive years, selling over $160 million in properties in the past 36 months alone. “I work just as hard for my first time home buyers as I do for my $8 million dollar clients,” says Devon. Through her commitment to integrity and by prioritizing her clients’ needs, Devon brings a genuine enthusiasm for helping clients sell their current residence, find their dream home, or purchase investment properties. “My goal has always been to exceed my clients’ expectations while delivering the best possible results, from negotiating the highest sale price for my sellers to negotiating the most favorable price for my buyers,” Devon says. Devon makes it her personal mission to get involved in the entire real estate transaction from start to finish. “I’m involved in every step of the process and guide my clients through every aspect of the transaction,” Devon continues. “Selling your home is daunting for a lot of people, so I walk them through the process — from preparing their home for sale to setting up appointments with the notary.” Of particular interest and importance to Devon is getting involved in home staging for property showings. “I love to stage a home and add designer touches that leave the best first impression,” shares Devon. “I have no problem with rolling up my

sleeves and pitching in to ensure the home is presented in the best light possible.” When it comes to Devon’s connections, she has an established and vast network for her clients to take advantage of. “I have an extensive contact list of trades and professionals, from power washers and carpenters to mortgage brokers and legal experts, to refer my clients to.” says Devon. “I also have strong relationships with many of the new home developers in the city, which allows me to secure front of the line access for many of my clients who are interested in pre-sales.” Devon is also ahead of the real estate pack when it comes to marketing, being one of the first Realtor’s to adopt modern marketing tools and methods into her business, using social media, mobile-friendly listings, and more to effectively produce results. Through her large online reach, including over 10,000 followers on Instagram, Devon receives a lot of inquiries about exclusive pre-sales and first access property listings through her social media channels. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and the focus on virtual showings, she was fortunate enough to be familiar and skilled with using video as a marketing platform, making it a seamless transition to using platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok even more. “Throughout the pandemic, traffic and inquiries have increased substantially on my website and social channels,” shares Devon. As Devon predicts, the outlook for real estate in 2021 and onwards continues to look promising for sellers and buyers alike in Vancouver. “With record low interest rates, more people working from home, and families realizing they need more space, I’m expecting to see the demand for single family homes, including townhomes and duplexes, continue,” says Devon. “People are less concerned with living close to downtown and more concerned about having more indoor and outdoor space.” “As well this year, we’ve seen a huge uptick in pre-sales, which indicates an increase in market confidence — and I anticipate this to continue.” So long as interested homeowners in Vancouver continue to follow through with their real estate goals, Devon looks forward to continuing to give her clients the luxury service they deserve.

R E A L E S TAT E 2021 EDITION

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Devon Owen Real Estate

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My goal has always been to exceed my clients’ expectations while delivering the best possible results. DEVON OWEN

604.614.8380 DEVONOWEN.COM DEVON@DEVONOWEN.COM 19